Coupler for cable trough

ABSTRACT

Couplers for a cable trough system including a terminal end sized to receive a terminal end of a trough member along a longitudinal direction of the body. A spring may be coupled to the body for securing the terminal end of the trough member to the coupler, the spring including first and second spring arms extending generally in opposition to one another in a plane generally parallel to the longitudinal direction. The spring may be received in a slot formed by the trough member. Also included may be a spring release mechanism coupled to the body, the spring release mechanism sliding in the longitudinal direction between a locked position, such that the first and second spring arms engage the terminal end of the trough, and an unlocked position, such that the first and second fingers release the first and second arms of the spring.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/107,547,filed Mar. 27, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,093,997 which application isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system for the management and routingof telecommunication cables, and, more particularly, to a coupler forjoining two or more trough members.

BACKGROUND

In the telecommunications industry, the use of optical fibers for signaltransmissions is accelerating. With the increased utilization of opticalfiber systems, optical fiber cable management requires industryattention.

One area of optical fiber management that is necessary is the routing ofoptical fibers from one piece of equipment to another. For example, in atelecommunications facility, optical fiber cables may be routed betweenfiber distribution equipment and optical line terminating equipment. Inbuildings and other structures that carry such equipment, the cablerouting can take place in concealed ceiling areas or in any other mannerto route cables from one location to another.

When routing optical fibers and other cables such as copper wires, it isdesirable that a routing system will be readily modifiable and adaptableto changes in equipment needs. Accordingly, such routing systems includea plurality of components, such as trough members and couplers, fordefining the cable routing paths. The trough members are joined togetherby couplings. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,067,678, 5,316,243, and 5,752,781 teachcable routing systems that include a plurality of trough members andcouplers.

Various concerns arise in the use of couplers for coupling troughmembers. One concern is that a plurality of hardware is used for joiningthe trough members. This hardware can be cumbersome. Further, there issometimes a need to rearrange or change the trough members and couplers.It is desirable to provide couplers that can be disconnected.

SUMMARY

A coupler for a cable trough system according to one aspect of theinvention may include a body including a bottom wall and two side wallsdefining a trough, the body having a body terminal end defining anoverlap region, the overlap region being sized to slideably receive aterminal end of a trough member along a longitudinal direction of thebody, and a spring coupled to the body and positioned in the overlapregion for securing the terminal end of the trough member to thecoupler, the spring including first and second spring arms extendinggenerally in opposition to one another in a plane generally parallel tothe longitudinal direction.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a cable trough systemincluding a body including walls defining a bottom wall and two sidewalls defining a trough, the body having a body terminal end defining anoverlap region, the overlap region being sized to slideably receive aterminal end of a trough member along a longitudinal direction of thebody, and a spring coupled to the body and positioned in the overlapregion for securing the terminal end of the trough member to thecoupler, the spring including first and second spring arms aligned in aplane extending in a direction non-transverse with respect to thelongitudinal direction.

In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a coupler for a cabletrough system including a body including walls defining a bottom walland two side walls defining a trough, the body having a body terminalend defining an overlap region, the overlap region being sized toslideably receive a terminal end of a trough member along a longitudinaldirection of the body, and a spring coupled to one of the walls of thebody for securing the terminal end of the trough member to the coupler,the spring including a first arm that is moveable in a plane generallyparallel to the one wall between a locked position and an unlockedposition.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a locking mechanism forcoupling a coupler with a trough member including a main body includinga first railway extending in a longitudinal direction, a first springincluding first and second arms aligned in a plane generally parallelwith respect to the longitudinal direction, the first spring beingcoupled to the main body, and a first spring release including first andsecond fingers, the first spring release slidingly engaging the firstrailway of the main body so that the first spring release slides in thelongitudinal direction between a locked position, wherein the first andsecond fingers release the first and second arms of the first spring,and an unlocked position, wherein the first and second fingers compressthe first and second arms of the first spring towards one another torelease the locking mechanism and the coupler from the trough member.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a cable trough systemcomprising a trough member having a terminal end and including first andsecond sidewalls coupled to a bottom wall generally forming a trough,the trough member defining a slot, a coupler including a body includinga bottom wall and two side walls defining a trough, the body having abody terminal end defining an overlap region, the overlap region beingsized to slideably receive the terminal end of the trough member along alongitudinal direction of the body, and a spring coupled to the coupler,wherein the spring is received in the slot when the trough member isinserted into the coupler to couple the trough member to the coupler.

In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a coupler for a cabletrough system including a trough member having a terminal end, thecoupler including a body having an open end and including first andsecond guiding surfaces defining a spacing, the spacing being sized toreceive the terminal end, with the first guiding surface slideablyengageable with an internal wall surface of the terminal end and withthe second guiding surface slideably engageable with the external wallsurface of the terminal end, a spring coupled to the body and includingfirst and second spring arms aligned in a plane generally parallel tothe first and second guiding surfaces, and a spring release mechanismcoupled to the body including a spring release, wherein, when theterminal end of the trough member is inserted into the coupler body, thefirst and second spring arms engage opposing portions of the troughmember defining a slot, and wherein the spring release releases thefirst and second arms from engagement with the opposing portions whenthe spring release is slid in a direction parallel to the first andsecond guiding surfaces.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for using a couplerand a trough member, the method including steps of: providing a terminalend of the trough member coupled to the coupler, wherein the terminalend was inserted in a longitudinal direction into a spacing defined bythe coupler; sliding a spring release in the longitudinal direction todisengage a spring from portions of the trough member defining a slot;and removing the terminal end of the first trough member from thespacing.

In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method for using acoupler and a trough member including steps of: providing a terminal endof the trough member, the trough member defining a slot; providing acoupler defining a spacing and including a locking element with aspring; and inserting the terminal end of the trough member in alongitudinal direction into the spacing defined by the coupler so thatthe locking element is at least partially received in the slot, therebycoupling the terminal end of the trough member to the coupler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a trough system inaccordance with the present invention shown in exploded form.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coupler in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the coupler shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the coupler shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the coupler shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the coupler of FIG. 2 with one of thelocking elements shown in exploded view.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a locking element inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the locking element shown in FIG.7 with one spring and spring release shown in exploded view.

FIG. 9 is an inside view of the locking element shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the locking element shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the locking element shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is cross-sectional top view along line 12-12 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a trough member inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an end view of the trough member shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the trough member shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a side view of an embodiment of a trough system including acoupler and two trough members in exploded view in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the trough system shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the trough system shown in FIG. 16 inassembled form.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the troughsystem shown in FIG. 18 from a different angle.

FIG. 20 is an end view of the trough system shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the trough system shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the trough system shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 23-23 ofFIG. 21 showing a portion of the trough system including a lockingelement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As used herein, the terms “couple” and “coupled” mean to join or attachone element in relation to a second element, whether the attachment ismade directly with the second element or indirectly through intermediatecomponents. As used herein, the term “slot” means a space defined by oneor more surfaces and may include, without limitation, T-slots, closedslots, flanges, and projections.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a trough system 10 that is an embodiment ofthe present invention. The system 10 includes a coupler 100 forinterconnecting trough members 300A and 300B. The coupler 100 includes alocking mechanism having at least one locking element. In the embodimentshown, four locking elements 107A, 107B, 107C, and 107D are providingsecure connection between the coupler 100 and a trough member, such astrough member 300A. The coupler 100 may also provide secure connectionswith one or more additional trough members, such as trough member 300B.In addition, the coupler may be configured to release the connectionsbetween the coupler 100 and the trough members 300A and 300B. In anexample embodiment, the locking mechanism is tool-less (i.e., thelocking mechanism does not require the use of a separate tool). However,locking mechanisms required to be engaged by an auxiliary tool are alsowithin the scope of the present invention.

I. Coupler

As shown in FIGS. 2-6, the coupler 100 includes a first guiding surface101 and a second guiding surface 102 at least partially surrounding thefirst guiding surface 101, as well as a first coupler end 110 and asecond coupler end 111. A spacing 103 is defined between the firstguiding surface 101 and the second guiding surface 102. The spacing 103is sized to receive a trough member (see, e.g., trough member 300 ofFIGS. 12-14) or other trough system component inserted into the spacing103 in a longitudinal direction 190.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first guiding surface 101 of the coupler 100 isgenerally in the shape of a trough, including a first side wall portion104 and a second side wall portion 105, as well as a bottom wall portion106 joining the first and second side wall portions 104 and 105. As usedherein, the term “trough” means any structure that defines an interiorin which an element such as an optical cable can be maintained. Thesecond guiding surface 102 is also in the shape of a trough. A midpointor midsection 175 divides the coupler 100 into first and second halves176 and 177, and generally surrounds at least a portion of the firstguiding surface 101.

As indicated above, the locking mechanism of the coupler is used tosecure trough members to the ends 110 and 111 of the coupler 100. Thelocking elements 107A, 107B, 107C, and 107D of the locking mechanism arecoupled to an exterior of the coupler 100, using, for example, a clip208 as shown in FIGS. 7-10 and described below.

Although the first locking element 107A is described in detail below,the second, third, and fourth locking elements 107B, 107C, and 107D havean identical structure and function similarly in the illustratedembodiment.

The locking element 107A is shown in isolation in FIGS. 7-12. Thelocking element 107A includes a main body 200, springs 210A and 210B,and spring releases 220A and 220B. The main body 200 includes a firstportion 202 and a second portion 204 coupled by a bridge 203. The mainbody further includes railways 205A and 205B, T-shaped detents 207A and207B, and the clip 208.

The spring 210A, shown in exploded form in FIG. 8, includes first andsecond arms 211 and 212 coupled by a bridge 213. The first and secondarms 211 and 212 are positioned to extend generally at an angle inopposition to one another. As used herein, to extend “generally inopposition” means to extend at diverging angles with respect to oneanother. In addition, the first and second arms are aligned generally ina plane. The spring 210A may be coupled to the coupler 100 bypress-fitting the spring 210A into a slot 251 defined on the main body200. The spring 210B is similarly configured. Preferably, springs 210Aand 210B are one-piece, V-shaped leaf springs made of metal.

Although the example springs 210A and 210B are shown, other springconfigurations may also be used. For example, a spring including asingle arm, or arms extending at different angles to those shown, mayalso be used.

The spring release 220A includes a sliding portion 222A and a fingerportion 223A with fingers 224 and 226. The sliding portion 222A definesan aperture 260 that is configured to slidingly engage and ride alongthe railway 205A between a locked position and an unlocked position. Thespring release 220A is maintained on the railway 205A by the detent 207Athat engages an edge 227 of the finger portion 223A as the springrelease 220A is slid longitudinally in a direction away from the bridge203 (i.e., the locked position).

The fingers 224 and 226 of the finger portion 223A are positioned toengage the spring arms 211 and 212 as the spring release 220A is slidlongitudinally in a direction towards the bridge 203 from the lockedposition to the unlocked position. In the locked position, as shown, forexample, in FIGS. 7 and 9, the fingers 224 and 226 of the spring release220A release the spring arms 211 and 212 of the spring 210A. As thespring release 220A is slid towards the bridge 203 and the unlockedposition, the fingers 224 and 226 push the spring arms 211 and 212towards one another.

In a fully engaged or the unlocked position, as shown by the springrelease 220B, the fingers 224 and 226 of the spring release 220B fullyengage the spring arms 211 and 212 of the spring 210B. It is thereforepossible for one spring release of the locking element 107A to be in thelocked position, while the other spring release is in the unlockedposition. For example, in FIG. 7, the spring release 220A is in theunlocked position, while the spring release 220B is in the lockedposition.

With no external force being applied, the spring release 220A is forcedby the spring 210A into the locked position. However, the springrelease, as is shown by the spring release 220B in FIGS. 7 and 12, maybe maintained in the unlocked position by the detent 207B that engagesan edge 228 of the sliding portion 222B of the spring release 220B whenthe spring release is placed in the fully unlocked position. The springrelease 220A is similarly configured.

Other configurations for the spring release, and specifically, thefingers, are also possible. For example, the fingers may be positionedto engage a portion of the spring arms closer to the bridge of thespring, thereby allowing for greater movement of the spring arms by thefingers. In addition, the spring release may optionally be removed fromthe locking element.

As noted above, the locking element 107A is coupled to the coupler 100using the clip 208 extending from the bridge 203 of the locking element107A, as is shown in FIGS. 7-10 and 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, theclip 208 is sized to extend through an interior portion defined by walls108 on the coupler 100, and detents 209 on the end of the clip 208engage an edge of the walls 108 facing the coupler, thereby coupling thelocking element 107A to the coupler 100. This configuration forattaching the locking element to the coupler may be advantageous, forexample, because the locking element can be snap-fit onto the coupler atthe desired time. In addition, it is possible to replace a lockingelement, if needed.

II. Trough

Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, an example embodiment of a trough member300 is shown according to the present invention. As used herein, theterm trough member is used to refer to any trough, fitting, railway,raceway, or similarly configured component including any number of ends.Although a specific embodiment of a trough member is shown in anddescribed with respect to FIGS. 13-15, any other trough member may alsobe used.

The trough member 300 includes a first terminal end 302 and a secondterminal end 303. The trough member 300 is generally in the shape of atrough including first and second side walls 305 and 306 coupled by abottom wall 307, thereby defining an interior surface 308 and anexterior surface 309. Walls 305, 306 and 307 are each generally planar.The exterior surface 309 define one or more slots 310 on the side walls305 and 306 and bottom wall 307. The slots 310 extend in a longitudinaldirection 301 of the trough member 300 from the first terminal end 302to the second terminal end 303. Typically, slots will be provided for atleast one, and preferably each, locking element, as described furtherbelow.

Alternative configurations and placement for the slots 310 are alsopossible. For example, the slots 310 may be T-slots, as shown on theexample embodiment of the trough 300. As used herein, the term “T-slot”means a slot having a narrow access opening and a wider interior region.In addition, the slots 310 may also be flanges or opposing projections.For example, the trough member 300B, known to those skilled in the artas a fitting and shown in FIGS. 16-23, includes slots defined by flanges370 on side walls (see FIG. 19) and slots defined by opposingprojections 371 and 372 on the bottom wall (see FIG. 22), rather thanT-slots. Other configurations are possible. Preferred slotconfigurations include at least two opposing surfaces that extend in thelongitudinal direction 301, although a single surface may also be used.The slots 310 may not extend fully between the terminal ends of thetrough member. The placement of the slots on the exterior surface of thetrough members may be altered. More or fewer slots may also be provided.

III. System

Referring now to FIGS. 16-23, an embodiment of a trough system 400 isshown including the coupler 100 as well as first and second troughmembers 300A and 300B. As illustrated, the terminal ends of the troughmembers 300A and 300B may be slidingly engaged in the spacing 103between the first and second guiding surfaces 101 and 102 of the coupler100. In other words, the thickness of the walls of each of the troughmembers 300A and 300B, or the distance between the inner and outersurfaces, are sized to fit within the spacing 103 of the coupler 100.The coupler 100 overlaps the terminal ends of each of the trough members300A and 300B to form the coupling, the overlap defining an overlapregion.

As each trough member is inserted into a respective end of the coupler100, a portion of each locking element is slidingly received within eachcorresponding slot. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, at least part ofthe first portion 202 of the locking element 107A is partially receivedwithin the slot 310 of the trough member 300A. Similarly, at least partof the second portion 204 of the locking element 107A is received in acorresponding slot 310 of trough member 300B.

As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 23 taken along line 23-23of FIG. 21, the springs 210A and 210B and finger portions 223A and 223Bof locking element 107B are positioned within the slot 310 of the troughmembers 300A and 300B. With a finger portion, such as finger portion223B, in the locked position, the spring arms 211 and 212 of the spring210B resiliently engage opposing portions 315 and 316 of the slot 310,thereby maintaining the locking element 107B within the slot 310 andcoupling the coupler 100 to the trough member 300B.

The opposing portions 315 and 316 each extend generally parallel to thelongitudinal direction 190 of the coupler 100. Likewise, the forcesapplied by the spring arms 211 and 212 are generally exerted in oppositedirections aligned in a plane extending generally parallel to thelongitudinal direction 190 of the coupler 100 along one of the walls ofthe trough.

In contrast, with a finger portion, such as finger portion 223A, in theunlocked position, the fingers 224 and 226 fully engage spring arms 211and 212 of the spring 210A, pushing the arms towards each other and awayfrom the portions 315 and 316 so that the trough member 300A can be slidin the longitudinal direction 190 out of the coupler 100, therebyuncoupling the trough member 300A from the coupler 100.

The other locking elements 107A, 107C, and 107D function in a mannersimilar to that of the locking element 107B illustrated.

IV. Method of Use

An example method for coupling one or more trough members to the coupler100 in accordance with the present invention is as follows. The lockingelements 107A, 107B, 107C, and 107D may be in the unlocked or lockedposition. The terminal end 302 of the trough member 300A may be insertedinto the coupler 100, thereby causing the spring 210A and spring release220A portions of each locking element 107A, 107B, 107C, and 107D to bereceived in the slots 310 of the trough member 300A. The angled shape ofthe spring arms 211 and 212 of each spring is angled toward thedirection of insertion of the terminal end 302 of the trough member 300Ato allow the trough member 300A to be inserted with little resistancefrom the spring.

With the trough member 300A fully inserted into the coupler 100 and thelocking elements in the locked position, the spring arms 211 and 212 ofeach spring push against opposing portions 315 and 316 of each slot 310.Removal of the trough member 300A is resisted by the angled shape of thearms 211 and 212 and ends of the arms grasping or embedding into theopposing portions 315 and 316 of the trough member 300A. The secondtrough member 300B may be coupled to the second coupler end 111 of thecoupler 100 in a similar manner.

An example method of removing the trough member 300A in accordance withthe present invention includes sliding the spring release 220A of eachlocking element to the unlocked position, thereby removing the pushingforce of the spring arms 211 and 212 from the opposing portions 315 and316 of the slots 310. The trough member 300A may then be removed. Thesecond trough member 300B may be removed in a similar fashion.

Alternative embodiments to those provided herein are also possible. Forexample, it is possible to alter the configuration of the engagementbetween the locking elements and the slots on the trough members. Forexample, it may only be necessary to provide a spring with a singlespring arm that engages an opposing portion (e.g., a flange) of thetrough. In addition, a separate fastener, such as a screw, could also beused in combination with the locking elements.

The coupler 100 and trough members 300, 300A, and 300B are presentedherein by way of example only, and other configurations are possible.For example, a coupler may be configured to be coupled to more than twotrough members, therefore including more than the first and secondcoupler ends. Further, a greater number of locking elements and/orsprings may be presented for each coupler end, or, alternatively, fewerlocking elements and/or springs, for example, one, may be used.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and of the invention. Since manyembodiments of the invention can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claimshereinafter appended.

1. A method for using a coupler and a trough member, the methodcomprising steps of: providing a first terminal end of the trough membercoupled to the coupler, wherein the first terminal end was inserted in alongitudinal direction into a spacing defined by the coupler, thelongitudinal direction extending along the trough member from the firstterminal end to a second opposite terminal end; sliding a spring releasein the longitudinal direction to disengage a spring from portions of thetrough member defining a slot; and removing the first terminal end ofthe first trough member from the spacing.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the sliding step further comprises a step of sliding the springrelease in the longitudinal direction to disengage first and second armsof the spring from opposing portions of the trough member defining theslot.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sliding step furthercomprises a step of compressing first and second arms of the spring inopposing directions generally aligned in a plane generally parallel tothat of the longitudinal direction.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe sliding step further comprises a step of sliding the spring releasein the longitudinal direction to compress first and second arms of thespring from opposing portions of the trough member defining the slot,the first and second arms of the spring being aligned in a planegenerally parallel to that of the longitudinal direction.
 5. The methodof claim 1, further comprising forming the slot along a side of thetrough member, the slot including first and second wall portions thatdefine the slot therebetween, the first and second wall portionsextending along the wall in the longitudinal direction.
 6. A method forusing a coupler and a trough member, the method comprising steps of:providing a first terminal end of the trough member, the trough memberincluding a wall having first and second wall portions that define apartially-closed slot therebetween, the first and second wall portionsextending along the wall in a longitudinal direction, the longitudinaldirection extending along the trough member from the first terminal endto a second opposite terminal end; providing a coupler defining aspacing and including a locking element with a spring; and inserting thefirst terminal end of the trough member in the longitudinal directioninto the spacing defined by the coupler so that the locking element isat least partially received in the slot, thereby coupling the firstterminal end of the trough member to the coupler.
 7. The method of claim4, further comprising forming the slot along a side of the troughmember, the slot including first and second wall portions that definethe slot therebetween, the first and second wall portions extendingalong the wall in the longitudinal direction.
 8. The method of claim 6,further comprising sliding a spring release in the longitudinaldirection to compress first and second arms of the spring such that thefirst and second arms disengage the first and second wall portions ofthe wall of the trough member, the first and second wall portionsopposing one another.